Ben Baker, representative for the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Mainland Council, presents a blanket adorned with northwest native designs to Lionel Kaohi, pelekikena, Kaua'i District Council, and Alice Brown, associate director of Kaua'i Council, at the opening ceremonies of the civic clubs' 49th annual convention on Kaua'i in October. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom.

Civic clubs convene on Kaua'i

By Blaine Fergerstrom / Ka Wai Ola

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs opened their 49th annual convention Oct. 19 at the Kaua'i Hilton in Nukoli'i, where club members from around the Islands and the U.S. continent, gathered through Oct. 26 under the theme "Ho'omana'o i ka wā I hala he kumu no ka wā e hiki mai ana – Honoring our past is the foundation for the future."

"As we convene this year, may we stand together on issues that will benefit us and our future generation," said Lionel Kaohi, pelekikena, Kaua'i District Council of the AOHCC.

"This year we celebrate the 90th year of the first Hawaiian Civic Club founded by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole in 1918, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu," Kaohi said. "How proud he would be, to see how this association has grown and flourished."

AOHCC pelekikena Marilyn Leimomi Khan said it was befitting to convene on Kaua'i, the birthplace of Kūhiō, who was born in Kōloa in 1871. Khan suggested all should "reflect on this great Prince, to celebrate the achievements of civic clubs in carrying out his vision, and to create new paths to address the challenges of the 21st century."

"Aloha nō, e Uncle Lionel and the Kaua'i Council, we are honored and privileged to feel, to embrace, your gentle breezes, your 'āina, your legends and your people," said Khan.

After several days of breakout plenary sessions and huaka'i to Kaua'i and even Ni'ihau, the opening ceremonies were held Oct. 22. Following a formal procession and seating of the delegations, guest speaker Micah Kāne, chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and director of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, gave the opening address highlighting DHHL's recent successes and challenges.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Clyde Nāmu'o addressed the plenary session on Oct. 23, discussing the state of OHA, Kau Inoa, OHA's limited liability corporations and demonstrating the new Community Consultation Network, which aims to facilitate communication between OHA and its beneficiaries.

The next day, Greg Chun of Kamehameha Schools addressed the group on recent Kamehameha huaka'i to Keauhou and Kahalu'u, and the conservation efforts underway in those areas.

Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino, the Hawaiian Talk Radio Show produced by OHA, with hosts Skylark Rossetti and Kimo Kaho'āno broadcast live from the convention for two days on AM 940.

On Saturday, delegates voted on resolutions introduced during the conference and elected AOHCC officers for 2009. Khan was re-elected to another two-year term as president of the 56-member association that stretches from Hawai'i and across the U.S. continent.

"The strongest action came in the final plenary session Saturday with the approval of a resolution by the Association's House of Delegates to gather signatures and submit a petition to Gov. Linda Lingle to dismiss the state's lawsuit with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs concerning the sale of Hawaiian ceded lands," according to an AOHCC press release. The state has appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to hear the case in January or February.

Other resolutions passed at the convention include:

>> Development and execution of a plan to protect and enhance state constitutional provisions regarding Hawaiian affairs

>> Urging agreement on the ceded lands 30-year past-due income and proceeds from the Public Land Trust

>> Supporting the establishment of a committee to conduct outreach and set up a process for selection of delegates to convene a native Hawaiian caucus

>> Supporting various avenues to strengthen the financial and community outreach programs of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

>> Urging a moratorium on the sale of ceded lands

>> Supporting a revised comprehensive management plan and development of administrative rules governing lands leased to the University of Hawai'i at Mauna Kea

>> Urging prohibition of thrill-craft activities within Hilo Bay

>> Urging the issuance of a commemorative stamp in honor of the civic clubs' founder, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole

>> Supporting and commending the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in its management of Waimea Valley

>> Urging funding for the restoration of Washington Place

>> Urging Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann to activate the county Historic Preservation Commission

>> Asking the State of Hawai'i to research the pros and cons of the importation of different types of biofuels

>> Supporting 'Ōlelo Community Television

>> Urging support and funding for the Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Bank to carry out programs with school bands

>> Urging support for efforts by civic clubs in Alaska and on the continental U.S. to address diabetes, heart disease and other health needs for native Hawaiians living away from the Islands

>> Asking full implementation of the Office of Management and Budget for accurate reporting of native Hawaiians to address disparities in health and healthcare.